thats the problem ppl buy cheap and moan like hell after using there cheap stuff and it all goes wrong and spoils the experience, and say never again..
First of all i would go for a six berth tent, you will need the room, have a look around a few websites for one of last seasons tents if you need to buy on a budget, look at the better brands like Kyham, Outwell, Vango, Gellert etc. When you have a shortlist come back for advice on each one
For around £100 quid the Kayham harvard deluxe looks ok or for around £200 the Vango Diablo 600 is brilliant
Now, you might say "Too much if she doesn`t like it." If so, then a good quality brand name tent like a Vango will sell well on Ebay and I wouldn`t be at all surprised if you got 75% of your money back on it, if not more. (Remember to take some pictures of it when it`s up.) And Wildie is spot on...a cheap tent will be more difficult to put up, more likely to be draughty and leak etc etc and if someone is ambivalent about camping anyway, they`re more likely to be put off it by a nasty cold wet tent.
(Other thing to watch out for is being warm when sleeping.....take spare duvets and fleece blankets to go under and over your sleeping bags.)
I`ve got a bee in my bonnet about the Vango Oregon 600, btw, because I have one and it`s getting close to my perfect tent. But if you look on Ebay for brand names, you can pick up some good bargains for even less. Look for Vango, Gelert, EasyCamp, Royal and Lichfield tenrs...all are good quality and worth buying.
Quote: Originally posted by wildie on 08/3/2007thats the problem ppl buy cheap and moan like hell after using there cheap stuff and it all goes wrong and spoils the experience, and say never again..
But then it is a first time for them ,as it is for me. I don't want to lay out £600 upwards for a tent that gets used once because the family as a whole did not enjoy it.
I understand that you get what you pay for as well.
I see both sides equally and its a fine line to tread. Support the new people to camping with some help. Point them to some ideas for tents etc, and other equipment. Tell them what you purchased and why and for how much (I need the help as well). How about your experiences first time camping and what you would suggest as well. It all helps to make the experience one to remember for the right reasons and for them to do the same again year after year.
Thanks to Valk as well for the tent names to look into.
But then it is a first time for them ,as it is for me. I don't want to lay out £600 upwards for a tent that gets used once because the family as a whole did not enjoy it.
*faints*
£600 for a first timer tent? I don`t think I`ve paid £600 for a tent in my entire life, and that includes either of my trailer tents. (I`ve been camping a looooong time too....) I`ve never paid more than £200 for a tent in my life. Ebay, last years discontinued models, second hand...you don`t have to spend a fortune, nope. You just have to know where to look and what you`re looking for.
Anyway, it`s not the tent that`s the financial killer, it`s all the rest. Yup, you can economise, beg, borrow, steal from the house on your first few trips but you can`t economise on everything. Second in importance after the tent is a set of decent sleeping bags, IMHO. You seldom get them second hand. Having said that, mt four Vango sleeping bags cost me £80 total in various sales rather than the £120 they would cost full list price.
£600 for a tent? I could have everything plus a week on a nice campsite for that....
Those Oregon tents are a great price aren't they? I'm almost tempted by the 400 myself.
Is there a camping shop you could go and have a look at the tents put up? It will give you a better idea of the size and quality if you can do some comparison.
And if your OH isn't v keen make sure your poles are colour coded and that you can stand up straight in the tent - I hate stooping about. Have a decent light (I use a head torch alot as well) I would beware of the ones that can hang from the ceiling as I am forever bashing my head on mine.
i have a stormproff usa (see my pics) 3 birth, prob off the same seller, i only go for weekends though. There arnt that bad but they are small, as its just me i dont mind to much, oh and i have a second 2 birth but its just too small
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Topic: stromproof usa
